Allen James Lynch

Infobox Military Person
name=Allen James Lynch
born= Birth date and age|1945|10|28
died=
placeofbirth= Chicago, Illinois
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=


caption=Allen Lynch in 1984
nickname=
allegiance=United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank=Sergeant
commands=
unit=12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
battles=Vietnam War
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Allen James Lynch (born October 28, 1945) is a former United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Biography

Lynch joined the Army from his birth city of Chicago, Illinois, and by December 15, 1967 was serving as a specialist four in Company D, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). During a firefight on that day, near My An (2), Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, Lynch rescued three wounded soldiers and stayed behind to protect them when the rest of the company withdrew. He single-handedly defended the wounded men against enemy attack until locating a friendly force which could evacuate them. Lynch was subsequently promoted to Sergeant and awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). place and date: Near My An (2), Binh Dinh province, Republic of Vietnam, December 15, 1967. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: October 28, 1945, Chicago, Ill.

Citation:

:For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Lynch (then Sp4) distinguished himself while serving as a radio telephone operator with Company D. While serving in the forward element on an operation near the village of My An, his unit became heavily engaged with a numerically superior enemy force. Quickly and accurately assessing the situation, Sgt. Lynch provided his commander with information which subsequently proved essential to the unit's successful actions. Observing 3 wounded comrades Lying exposed to enemy fire, Sgt. Lynch dashed across 50 meters of open ground through a withering hail of enemy fire to administer aid. Reconnoitering a nearby trench for a covered position to protect the wounded from intense hostile fire, he killed 2 enemy soldiers at point blank range. With the trench cleared, he unhesitatingly returned to the fire-swept area 3 times to carry the wounded men to safety. When his company was forced to withdraw by the superior firepower of the enemy, Sgt. Lynch remained to aid his comrades at the risk of his life rather than abandon them. Alone, he defended his isolated position for 2 hours against the advancing enemy. Using only his rifle and a grenade, he stopped them just short of his trench, killing 5. Again, disregarding his safety in the face of withering hostile fire, he crossed 70 meters of exposed terrain 5 times to carry his wounded comrades to a more secure area. Once he had assured their comfort and safety, Sgt. Lynch located the counterattacking friendly company to assist in directing the attack and evacuating the 3 casualties. His gallantry at the risk of his life is in the highest traditions of the military service, Sgt. Lynch has reflected great credit on himself, the 12th Cavalry, and the U.S. Army.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War

References

*cite web
publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipients (A-L)
work = Medal of Honor Citations
date = February 27, 2007
url = http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html
accessdate = 2007-07-10

External links

* [http://www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org/events/2007-09-13-MOH-AllenLynch.jsp Interview] at the Pritzker Military Library

Persondata
NAME= Lynch, Allen James
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH= October 28, 1945
PLACE OF BIRTH= Chicago, Illinois
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=